/ ˈkaʊntəpɔɪnt; NAmE -tərp-/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ U ] ( music ) the combination of two or more tunes played together to form a single piece of music
SYN polyphony :
The two melodies are played in counterpoint.
—see also contrapuntal
2.
[ C ] counterpoint (to sth) ( music ) a tune played in combination with another one
3.
[ U , C ] ( formal ) a pleasing or interesting contrast :
This work is in austere counterpoint to that of Gaudi.
■ verb
[ vn ] counterpoint sth (with / against sth) ( formal ) to contrast sth with sth else; to form a contrast with sth
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French contrepoint , from medieval Latin contrapunctum (song) pricked or marked over against (the original melody), from contra- against + punctum , from pungere to prick.